Mark Damazer, the controller of BBC Radio 4, praised Davis today. "Evan has been a boon to the programme. His clout when dealing with economics and business is obvious – but he has brought a relentlessly inquiring mind to all that he does," Damazer said.

Critics have praised Davis for bringing a fresh style to the programme. This morning he landed the prize 8.10am interview with prime minister Gordon Brown.

Ceri Thomas, the Today editor, said: "I'm delighted to be able to confirm something that's been obvious from the moment Evan first arrived: that he's a big part of the long-term future of this programme."

Davis added: "I'm glad and grateful they've signed me up permanently. With a few more years in the job, I might actually get the hang of it."

This week he presented a BBC2 documentary on The City Uncovered explaining the financial crisis. He also hosts BBC2's business panel programme Dragons' Den.

Davis was previously BBC economics editor. He joined the BBC in 1993 as an economics correspondent. In 1997 he became economics editor for Newsnight and BBC News economics editor in 2001.

He is a former editor of Oxford University student newspaper Cherwell, where he read politics, philosophy and economics at St John's College.

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